Skip to main content

PRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN "SHE NO LONGER WEEPS" BY TSITSI DANGAREMBGA



The character of Getrude is a product of a society that thrives on degrading women and treating them as second class citizens. Getrude represents women who are desperate. These women are driven by desperation to devise ways of survival within a system characterised by toxic masculinity and patriarchy.

For many a woman, marriage is a far fetched dream. The societal expectations regarding a woman who qualifies to be in a marriage are just too high, or perhaps too low to make marriage attractive to women. The cost of getting married involves forfeiting educational endeavours, depriving oneself of personal pleasurable activities such as smoking, drinking and choosing what one wants to wear. The marriage institution represents a hindrance in a woman’s life. It is for this and other reasons that Getrude jettisons the idea of getting married albeit subjecting herself to a life of desperation.

The description of Getrude as a “nice” woman is based on her acceptance of the position the patriarchal society places her. For her to enjoy the company of a man, she has to avoid doing what men dislike which includes not to expect a man to marry her, see her regularly, take her seriously, give her presents or talk to her. In addition, she is not expected to initiate the act of sex but must always wait until a man wants to make love to her. 

She is forced to live a life of hypocrisy through  evading being detected smoking. Self actualisation cannot be achieved by women within the cultural status quo obtaining in the text because of the constraints dictated by the society. Getrude has embraced the puppet lifestyle in order to secure the continual pleasure provided by men even if she has no control of her sexual life since men are the ones who determine when a woman can have sex. It is for this reason that Getrude ends up having multiple sexual partners and that way, she has some control with regards to who she wants to have sex with but the aspect of when still remains the prerogative of men.

Getrude’s consciousness that she is objectified sexually is inadequate to empower her to shake off the shackles under which she is. She confrontationally tells Freddy that he “just love the way,” she “open for” him. She realises that she is not more than an object meant to quench sexual desires of men. However, she is fully aware of her dilemma. The competition for men is stiff hence she advises Martha not to find anything “wrong with being the hundredth women”. 

Any attempt to moralise sex and indeed marriage as an institution is an exercise in futility. Getrude pities Martha who holds idealised perceptions about marriage. At the same time she ridicules her for trying to cling onto a failed model. Although Getrude might be seen as floating above the patriarchal system, the audience can easily spot her as a nonentity as she suffers verbal and physical abuse in the hands of the very same men who claim that she is a "nice bitch.

Dangarembga’s portrayal of Getrude serves to bring out the ugly consequences of patriarchy. Her loss of self esteem and acceptance of a life of servitude as her escapism, contrasts sharply with Martha’s indignation.

Comments

Unknown said…
Thank you so much, please analyse the whole book
LeGo said…
this is probably the most helpful website i've ever used since i started My ''A''
THANK YOU..
Cosmopolitan said…
You are welcome. I'm glad you find it useful.
Thanks a lot! Hope to get more analysis of Dangarembga's 'She no longer weeps'
Unknown said…
Have learnt a lot, thank you
Unknown said…
Hey can I have the relevance of the tittle "she no longer weeps "
#keboz said…
Thanks a lot... Information been helpful and aids very well in good essay writing. Hope to get more on characterization and analyses.
Anonymous said…
Thank you so much found this helpful doing literature for the first time am a college student
Cosmopolitan said…
Your're welcome. I'm glad you found it helpful. All the best in your studies!

Popular posts from this blog

AN ANALYSIS OF THE POEM "EVERY STONE THAT TURNS..." BY BVUMA

The poem opens with an air of inner turmoil. The speaker expresses disappointment at the futility of his efforts to find happiness despite his all endeavours. The motif of "every stone that turns" symbolises the chapters, experiences and phases the speaker goes through in life, all of which expose him to danger or unpleasantness.  The poem presents a sense of meaninglessness. Futility is symbolised by "an abstract atlas," representing the intangible weight of unfulfilled aspirations. The speaker feels exposed and vulnerable, as suggested by the "neon ball atop Pearl House," which hints at a precarious, unstable state of existence. The image of "a pair of high-heeled shoes" signifies a figure, possibly Yeukai, walking the empty streets in search of something vital - be it food or emotional fulfilment. The word "pecks" suggests a futile, bird-like effort to find sustenance or help, while the "still streets" emphasise the a...

COMING OF THE DRY SEASON: SHADOWS ON THE WALL

 SHADOWS ON THE WALL The story begins with a motif of shadows. This device runs through the story. This establishes a gloomy atmosphere characterised by hopelessness and dejection of the child narrator. It also emphasises the neglect and emptiness the narrator is experiencing. Even in the presence of his parents, the child feels abandoned. The family is so dysfunctional that the child finds solace in the shadows instead of the real parents. The "wall" symbolises a barrier to freedom and happiness. It represents the depressing effects of the narrator's  parents' tempestuous relationship.  The narrator has lost sense of reality after failing to find love and protection from the parents especially from the father who is abusive and callous. The real world exposes the narrator to cruelty and abuse hence the fascination on the shadows.  Through their sitting location in the hut, a huge social distance between the father and the child is reflected. The father is sitting n...

More Screen Time

More Screen Time What do you like to watch on your screen? Movies, sitcoms or comedies? Many people enjoy spending their weekends sitting on sofas or lying in bed, watching their favourite TV or online programmes on their mobile phones or televisions. Fancy Documentaries? If you enjoy shows that tell true stories about wildlife, cities or anything people don't know much about, you might love documentaries. These shows are typically  informative ,   unless  they poorly researched. However, since documentaries involve a lot of narration, some people find them dull or less engaging. Many enjoy documentaries about animals and plants, but you can also find documentaries about popular destinations, like the White Temple in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand. The Famous White Temple - Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rain, Thailand Laughter is The Best Medicine! Some people, however, that documentaries don't help them relax as much as they would like, so they prefer watching comedie...